21st Sunday of the Year A
The following resources are in the form of a video presentation
- The readings for the day
(a useful commentary on these readings here) - A Gospel Reflection by Fr Alex and Fr Mike
- Prayers of Intercession
- Final Blessing
- Closing reflective music
After you have watched our Prayer Resources we would encourage you to sit and reflect quietly on what the Word of God is saying to you this weekend. The questions below are simply suggestions but if you find them helpful then use them.
If you are interested in joining a small group to share your thoughts and feelings about God's Word from any of the resources you have watched please email us.
cluster.alpha@outlook.com
Questions for reflection
(framed for a group discussion)
Peter is usually pictured carrying keys and all papal insignia reproduce this idea. What power Peter is given - whatever he decides on earth will be copied in heaven! – and we believe that this power is handed down to Pope Francis.1. Thinking of church tradition, what part of it would you like Pope Francis to “bind” (to strengthen) and what part would you like him to loosen (to relax)?
Jesus chooses Peter as a leader because he recognises the influence of the Father in Peter’s words. All the apostles followed in that belief and became leaders too. Leadership for Jesus means service not control.
2. Do you see yourself as a leader? In what ways might you lead the cluster by serving it?
Preparing for next week
For those who would like to start reflecting on next week's gospel, the text can be found here.
Preparing for next week’s gospel:
Matthew 16: 21-27
If anyone wants to be a follower of mine, let him renounce himself
Here are some suggested questions you may find helpful.
In last week’s gospel, Peter is the rock: praise such as this from Jesus must have made him happy. In this week’s gospel Jesus says, “Get behind me Satan!” He goes from being hero to zero in a few verses. Like the rest of us, Peter had his ups and downs in his faith journey and learned from them.
1. Consider an event or situation involving you or someone you loved which led to you questioning your faith in God. Who or what helped you through that crisis? Share with your group if you are in one.
2. Jesus knew that doing God’s will meant being a troublemaker in the eyes of the world. In what ways are you challenging the way the world thinks about: the environment or racism or the economy or inequality?
What is the shape of your cross right now? (What is troubling you or what are you finding hard to bear at this time?)
3. Bring your thoughts to Jesus in prayer who said “my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” Ask for guidance on who or what will share this burden with you and be attentive for an answer during the week.
1. Consider an event or situation involving you or someone you loved which led to you questioning your faith in God. Who or what helped you through that crisis? Share with your group if you are in one.
2. Jesus knew that doing God’s will meant being a troublemaker in the eyes of the world. In what ways are you challenging the way the world thinks about: the environment or racism or the economy or inequality?
What is the shape of your cross right now? (What is troubling you or what are you finding hard to bear at this time?)
3. Bring your thoughts to Jesus in prayer who said “my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” Ask for guidance on who or what will share this burden with you and be attentive for an answer during the week.
End of Prayer resource